prominent, pushed along over 5f out, weakened over 4f out, tailed off
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 4f out, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, no impression entering final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 4f out, led 2f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, edged left, eased near finish
raced keenly, led over 12f out, ridden over 2f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out
led over 1f, chased leader, challenged 8f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
The three recent winners could fight out the finish here and we just prefer Merrymaker ahead of Rickety Bridge and Princely Ted. The selection was gaining his first course win since 2004, when comfortably beating Party Palace over course and distance. A six pound penalty will make it tough but despite the advancing years there could still some improvement to come as he has won off much higher marks in the past. Rickety Bridge was an impressive winner of an amateur riders event last time out. The time was very slow but he won with plenty in hand and should play his part again. Princely Ted had shown very little before that success last time out and there could be more improvement to come. The returning Mr Excel is worth a look in the betting, but we return to Merrymaker as the more likely winner.
Mr Excel (IRE) 5-2 (8-7) Held up in rear, in touch, headway on outer over 2f out, disputed lead 1f out, every chance, not pace of winner inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 2l behind High Point (9-3) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Rickety Bridge (IRE) 3-1fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, smooth headway over 3f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (6) pol beating Theflyingscottie (10-6) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Merrymaker 6-1 (10-0) Held up, headway over 3f out, driven to lead entering final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Party Palace (8-5) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Trew Style 22-1 (9-12) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 44l behind Estate (9-13) at Musselburgh 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Princely Ted (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Led for 1f, chased leader, led again over 4f out, ran on well, won at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Party Palace (8-3) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Victory Quest (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, 9th of 12, 27l behind Inchpast (9-6) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Desert Leader (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Held up, headway over 6f out, weakened 4f out, last of 8, 33l behind Bank On Benny (9-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Forever My Lord 100-1 (8-11) In rear, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, last of 17, well behind Golden Groom (9-4) at Newcastle 2m hcap (6) gf in Sept.
